| At 7:56 AM, our department was alerted for an automatic fire alarm at the Carrie Court Apartments on Gay Street near Fourth Avenue.
The Deputy Chief, Ladder, and Utility 65-2 initially responded to the incident. Deputy 65 arrived to find smoke coming from the basement of one of the buildings. Upon investigation, it was found there was an active fire in the basement. Deputy 65 established Gay Street command and upgraded the incident to a building fire - adding our first-alarm mutual aid companies.
Two handlines from our new Ladder 65 were placed in service. Montco Squad 68 laid a supply line from a nearby hydrant. Ladder 63 was directed to set up in the rear parking lot. Searches were conducted to ensure all occupants were out of the building. The fire in the basement ceiling had extended into the floor of a first-floor apartment. The fire was quickly extinguished but required extensive overhaul and assistance to the fire marshals.
The fire was placed under control at 8:18 AM. No injuries were reported. The American Red Cross was requested to assist numerous displaced tenants. The Chester County Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire, though it is not believed to be suspicious. Our units cleared the scene after approximately three hours.
This incident gave our crews an opportunity to put our new‑to‑us ladder truck to work - a 2008/2021 Pierce Impel 75’ quint. We’ll have more to share about this new piece in the coming weeks. |
